I’ve been slowing down lately while continuing to recover from a fall

Over the past several weeks, I realized just how exhausted I was as winter break approached. As a teacher, I’m fortunate to have time off for the holidays, and this year I needed it more than ever. Instead of traveling, I spent my break catching up on things at home, enjoying time with family and friends, and focusing on my recovery from a bad fall off my horse last autumn that left me with a broken rib and a sprained diaphragm, which are both still healing. I now feel ready to start the new year, both physically and mentally refreshed.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) has complicated my recovery, but over the past month, I finally feel like I’ve turned a corner. My pain has decreased significantly — my broken rib now only gives me the occasional twinge, and my diaphragm and core muscles are much less irritated than they were even a month ago. I’m down to taking Tylenol only as needed, and activities that engage my injured muscles now leave them just slightly sore rather than terribly painful.

Recommended Reading

October 7, 2025 Columns by Karen Del Vecchio

A diaphragm sprain is my latest unexpected injury after a recent fall

A key part of my progress has been physical therapy (PT). While not everyone with a broken rib needs PT, I did because my muscle involvement was significant, and EDS amplified those issues. My body already tends toward tight muscles because of EDS, and the limited movement from broken ribs only made things worse. When I began PT at the start of December, I had just 50% range of motion in my torso and was still quite sore.

Now, after about six weeks of PT, my range of motion has improved to 85-90%, and my comfort level has increased dramatically. The Graston technique has helped release my tight muscles, while targeted exercises and gentle stretches have enabled me to break through the stiffness that once felt like a cast around my middle. With most of my range of motion restored, I can finally start rebuilding strength in those muscles.

One important lesson I’ve learned from this experience is that I was simply doing too much. Juggling school, riding, managing my small horse farm, and everyday responsibilities left me stretched too thin. By the time I was injured, I was already exhausted, burned out, and stressed — all of which made recovery even harder.

This experience has reminded me to prioritize slowing down. Chronic fatigue is a real and challenging part of living with EDS, and it’s something I need to manage more carefully to avoid burning out. It’s OK if I can’t make it to the barn every day, or if I take a weekend off riding to spend time with friends. Heading home after work to catch up on tasks and get a good night’s sleep isn’t lazy — it’s healthy. That’s what matters most.

Note: Ehlers-Danlos News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Ehlers-Danlos News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Ehlers-Danlos.